Bob & Nancy Ulrich's Day Hiking Adventures Report #SN01
Hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains - Piute Pass
11,423 Ft.
Join Bob & Nancy Ulrich as they hike all over
the place and back again
Elevations North Lake 9250 Piute
Pass 11,423 / Length 11 Miles Round Trip
This hike takes you east from North Lake
(east of Bishop) to Piute Pass. It's an 11 miles round trip, with a gain of 2170+ feet.
Since you are starting above 9000 Feet, it will feel longer. A very scenic hike all the
way with a variety of terrain to look at. This is a shot of the Piute Crags to the north
of the trail peeking out from the trees.
The truly spectacular views and vistas start at Loch
Leven Lake about 3 miles out. It is from here that you can see the pass for the first
time. It is right below the clouds near the center left of the photo. These lakes are a
wonderful destination, with outstanding photo opportunities. Nancy and I stopped for a bit
to eat here before moving on.
You really feel the elevation as you make
the assent. It took Nancy and I three hours to make it this far. Keep in mind we
hike all the time. It takes a day or so for your body to adjust to the elevation, and we
did not take the time to adjust.(This is from a guy who's climbed Mt. Whitney-14496 twice
and knows better.) From here it is not as steep, and it would only take another hour and
one half to reach the pass. Be sure and stop along the way to grab some more photo's.
Over the past 28 years I've spent months in the Sierra
and hiked hundreds and hundreds of miles up here. Each time I go I take tons of pictures
and can never really capture its beauty, but I keep trying. Here's the requisite sign
picture looking south into the Sierra from the pass. I first hiked this trail in 1969. I
don't remember how long it took then, but I do remember seeing the Milky Way for the first
time.
These photos were taken on the North Lake to Piute Pass Hike found in this book.
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